Common Courtesy

Courtesy Affirms the Dignity of Others.

“Sing your hearts out to God!  Let every detail in your lives – words, actions, whatever – be done in the name of Jesus.” Colossians 3:17 Message.

My thoughts today are about, “common courtesy!”

My wife, Gayle, framed a small painting of hers that simply reads, “Because Nice Matters!” Nice describes how Gayle regards people  and how she speaks about them and to them. She demonstrates kindness toward others in words and actions.

Everyone who knows her knows she lives that truth daily. Those simple, powerful words are the expression of her daily life and her practical ministry to others.

For the joy and edification of others she offers her best efforts. Her motive is selfless; she does so without mention or fanfare because nice matters.” Every person matters to God and that means they matter to her.

Since people matter to God, then people should matter to each of us. ”God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 NIV.  People matter to God. I recall my parents explaining social grace to me as, “common courtesy due to others.”

The Bible is practical, simple, and clear. ”Treat others as you want them to treat you.” Luke 6:31 TLB. Such courtesy seems less and less common.

Common courtesy is expressed in simple acts of consideration. Put others’ benefit ahead of your own. Such courtesy seems uncommon. Courtesy is simply being kind and respectful in your interactions with others. “The fruit of the Spirit is love . . forbearance, kindness, goodness.” Galatians 5:22 NIV.

Common courtesy honors the dignity of people and treats them accordingly. Today’s casual culture can appear more presumptuous than friendly. Meanwhile, others find it acceptable to simply overlook people with neither nod nor notice. Somewhere between those extremes is a happy balance, a common courtesy that honors the importance and individuality of other people and treats them accordingly.

Common courtesy is a civility God and others expect of you. Your practice toward others evidences your regard or lack of regard, for yourself as well as others. In reading other translations of today’s verse, I discovered that most use the words, “humility or humble minded,” where the King James Bible reads, “courteous.”

Common Courtesy is a proper response due every individual. Nice matters to God as well. How you speak to others, or speak about them, reflects your view of them in comparison with yourself. Humility is viewing yourself modestly rather than proudly. The Bible commands and promises, “Be courteous, knowing that you were called to this . . that you may inherit a blessing.” 1 Peter 3:8-9 NKJ.

My prayer for you today is that common courtesy would be your entrance to some very uncommon blessings.

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